The Buchen East Africa Zoological Expedition (1952), collected material for study research and a habitat group exhibition of African marsh birds. One hundred and eighty-nine bird skins and sixteen nests were collected, together with photographic studies for the background and foreground, papyrus to reproduce the vegetation, and other accessory material to construct the Marsh Birds diorama exhibition. The expedition was financed and led by Walther Buchen, Field Museum Trustee, of Winnetka, Illinois. Camera and film provided by Walther Buchen. Filmed by Ronald Lambert. This film is edited from a full version that depicts donor participation, expedition activities, and the diorama construction. To see the full version click here.

Identified Individuals and their associated departments include:

Carl W. Cotton, Zoology Taxidermist

Celestino Kalinowski, Zoology Assistant Taxidermist

Ronald J. Lambert, Zoology Taxidermist

Gustav. A, Noren, Maintenance

Austin L. Rand, Curator of Birds

James R. Shouba, Maintenance

Douglas E. Tibbitts, Photography and Illustration

Shotlist

1. Exterior of the main entrance to Field Museum
2. Interior of Stanley Field Hall
3. Museum staff packing expedition material
4. Close up of staff packing a trunk
5. Close up of a trunk label
6. The bird specimens are examined and one is removed from the relaxing container and two bird specimens are added to the container
7. Close up of the removal of tow (stuffing) and scraping of the bird specimen.
8. Mr. Cotton is removing a cover on a plexiglass tile and lays the tile on the new bird’ exhibit floor
9. Close up of a crate with Field Museum address
10. Mr. Kalinowski and Mr. Cotton moving crates
11. Mr. Kalinowski and Mr. Cotton open the crates and start unloading and unwrapping the specimens
12. The bird specimens are arranged stored in drawers
13. Mr. Cotton continues to arrange the bird specimens
14. Mr. Cotton grabs a bird specimen
15. The bird specimen is washed
16. The bird specimen is dried with jet compressed air
17. Mr. Cotton prepares stuffing
18. The bird specimen has wires inserted into it
19. The weaver bird specimen is mounted
20. The mounted weaver bird specimen is turned in different directions
21. A mounted crowned crane
22. A mounted bird
23. A mounted African jacana
24. Mr. Cotton prepping a whalehead stork
25. A mounted painted snipe
26. A mounted king reed-hen
27. A mounted malachite kingfisher bird
28. Two mounted white-faced tree ducks
29. Two mounted orange bishop birds
30. A mounted great crested grebe
31. Mr. Cotton soaking the papyrus
32. Mr. Cotton brushing the dried papyrus out
33. Mr. Cotton spraying the dried papyrus with paint
34. Close up of papyrus being sprayed
35. Close up of Mr. Tibbitts mixing paint on a palette
36. Mr. Tibbitts is painting the exhibit wall
37. Mr. Cotton in the taxidermy shop sorting papyrus
38. Mr. Cotton inserting wire into the papyrus
39. Exhibit under construction
40. A carpenter nailing boards to create a floor
41. A painter is painting the wall
42. Mr. Tibbitts is painting on a canvas while another person looks on
43. Close up of a paint brush mixing color paint on a palette
44. Panoramic view of Mr. Tibbitts painting the wall of the exhibit
45. Panoramic view of the small landscape painting and board with landscape photos with Mr. Tibbitts painting the landscape on the wall
46. Mr. Tibbitts painting the wall
47. Mr. Cotton starts creating the ground of the exhibit with plaster
48. Mr. Cotton removes the wax lily pod out of its mold
49. Wax lily pods on a stand
50. A wet lily pad is on a table and a liquid is brushed onto the lily pad
51. Metal strips are around the lily pad and a retaining clay seal is placed around the strips of metal where they meet the base of the form
52. Mr. Cotton scoops plaster of paris into a bowl
53. Dried plaster is being scrapped and brushed off the unplastered side of the lily pad
54. A view of the created plaster molds
55. Mr. Cotton starts adding wax to a heating caldron to melt
56. Mr. Cotton examines notebooks and scoops some wax into a ladle
57. Mr. Cotton removes the wax lily pads from their molds
58. Mr. Cotton paints the floor of the new exhibit
59. The protective covering is removed from the new exhibit
60. A group of people install the glass window
61. Carpenters install trimming and the glass window is polished
62. While installing trimming around the glass window is polished
63. A school group stand in front of the exhibit
64. Panoramic view of the finished exhibit
65. “The End”